Baby Shower Custom Invitations

Baby Girl Shower Invitations

Crabby Cakes Studio was requested to create custom baby shower invitations for our client, Shona.

Knowing she is having a little girl, her only request was to be in the colors green, pink and white.  The design/theme she requested was to be "baby booties".

Bobbi search high and low for an entire week to see if there were dimensional invitations in the "baby bootie" style.....well, guess what?  No such luck!

Bobbi created 2 invitations for Shona to choose from....both custom created.  No copying or scrap lifting here!

These were the two invitations presented to Shona..........

Baby Shoe Invitation #1

Baby Shoe Invitation #2

Shona really like the sparkle of the flowered rhinestones and the color variations of invitation #1 especially since the baby's room is in bright pink and greens with flowers!  

We happily created 85 adorable custom baby shower invitations!  Congrats to Shona, and we hope you have a great, funfilled baby shower! And of course never ending happiness your daughter will be bring you and your husband!

Oh, another loving touch was that Shona added to the invitation was requesting her guests to bring a children's book rather than a card!  Love it!

The invite read: (excluding the party details for privacy)

Come celebrate

the pitter patter

of tiny feet

in the our household

with a

shower for Shona

On June 33, 2011 at 2PM

located at

1111 Belaire Drive

Chicago, IL

Turning Crabby Into Happy!

Bobbi and Christine

Crabby Cakes Studio

 

Birthday Bash Blog Hop

Birthday Bash Blog Hop.
May 23 at 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.

Welcome to the very first Birthday Bash Blog Hop. We are here to celebrate not only my birthday but my daughter Becky’s birthday, my baby turns 20 today.

...If you have started on this blog you’re on the right track. If not, and just lucked up on this blog, you can go back to the beginning HERE and hop along with us.
We're so excited to being doing this hop, and we have a fabulous line up with some very talented folks. There will be lots of fun projects, along with some great blog candy, and an AMAZING grand prize for this hop.

This hop runs all day on May 23, so you have plenty of time to make it all the way through the hop. Check out each blog and see what BLOG CANDY you could possibly WIN!!

Here is the complete line up
Lisa - http://handmadewithlove-lisa.blogspot.com/ You are here!
Lisa - http://honeybearzdesigns2011.blogspot.com/
Michelle - http://queenofmycraftroom.blogspot.com/
Shawnee - http://quiverofangels.blogspot.com/
Shelly - http://kccroppers.blogspot.com/
Creativek Kuts - http://www.creativekuts.blogspot.com/
Deb - http://www.scrappingmamma.net/
Corrine - http://celebratingordinarymoments.blogspot.com/
Tristan - http://tristans-time-4-craftin.blogspot.com/
Mickie - http://littlescrapcorner.blogspot.com/
Rachelle – http://rachelle-rachellesplace.blogspot.com/
Sheri - http://highland-eyes.blogspot.com/
Melanie - http://melaniespapercraft.blogspot.com/
Christine - http://crabbycakescrafts.blogspot.com/
Bobbi – http://rockgirlcustomdesigns.blogspot.com/
Debbie - http://craftydeb-ddscrafts.blogspot.com/
Leila - http://mypapergrowsontrees.blogspot.com/
Emily - http://www.createserendipity.net/
Jennifer - www.craftycardgallery.blogspot.com
April - http://www.curlsngrins.blogspot.com/
Jennifer - http://scrapaholicjen.blogspot.com/
Ashley - http://scrappinpinkpiglet.blogspot.com/
Donna - http://comopark1886.blogspot.com/
Elsa - http://www.justafewdesigns.blogspot.com/
Shannon - http://www.purplelionpaper.com/blog
Ashley - http://www.theglamoroussideofscrapping.blogspot.com/
Monica - http://scraps2treasure.blogspot.com/
Lisa - http://handmadewithlove-lisa.blogspot.com/
Scrapping With Lisa on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Scrapping-with-Lisa/130882060268842

There is also going to be an overall grand prize, which is being sponsored by Lisa from Scrapping with Lisa and she will be the first and last blog on the hop. In order to be eligible for the grand prize you must leave a comment on every blog in the hop, as well as become a fan of my blog and of Scrapping with Lisa on Facebook. If you don’t do facebook, this won’t count against you for the grand prize, just let me know that in your comment. You must do all this, it is mandatory in order to be eligible for the overall grand prize.

As an avid scrapbooker, whenever someone I know is going to have a baby, I love to make them a scrapbook for the first year.  It always starts with a welcome page and ends with the first birthday.  Below are some of the pages that I made for that book.   

This is the front cover of the book.  I just am so in love with blue and brown these days!

Here is the welcome to the page.  My two favorite titles are "You are Purr fect!!" (Thank you Bobbi for that one) and "Welcome to the Jungle" (a nod to the 80's"

Don't you just love the monkey and lion.  They turned so cute. 

In between the welcome and birthday - I add pages for all of the major holidays (Easter, Valentines Day, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Halloween, etc)

With every new baby book, I always have the last two pages first birthday!  In this book, the cake opens to hold 2 additional 2x3 photos!

 I used a cricut cartridge for the hat and than added glitter (everything looks better with glitter)!

The "WISH" is from the $0.99 section at Target.  What a great bargin to complete this adorable page!

Thanks for stopping by Crabby Cakes Studio. 

Your next blog is Bobbi - http://rockgirlcustomdesigns.blogspot.com/

Have a GREAT day!!

Cake Pop Flower Pot

SUPRISE!!!

Happy Birthday Bobbi!!!

Today is Bobbi's birthday.  She is turning ummm ahhhh - well ok - it's not polite to tell a lady's age. So let's just say it's her 21st birthday (again).

In honor of Bobbi's birthday party here on our blog, I am going to give everyone the present of a tutorial on how to make this adorable flower pot - cake pop stand!

Suplies Needed:

1 flower pot - I bought the flower pot I gave Bobbi at Michaels on sale for $3.99
1 styro foam florist block - cut this into thirds
12 lollipop sticks
Mother's Day Bouquet Cricit Cartridge
1 piece of 12x12 yellow card stock
1/4 piece of green tissue paper
Hole punch
Cake Pops (12 for the bouquet and a couple ot eat while making the present

Instructions:

Step 1 - Cut flower shapes from Mother's Day Bouquet (I used flower #18)  - last  column - third row

Step 2 - Punch holes in the center of the flowers.  I used the small punch on my Crop-A-Dile - Eyelet and Snap Punch Tool

. 

Step 3 - Insert florist foam into flower pot

Step 4 - Cover foam with green tissue paper (you can also use easter grass if you have any - I was out) 

Step 5 - Assemble your cake pop flowers by add the flower unser the cake pop.

Step 6 - Insert Cake Pops into flower pot!  Repeat until complete.

Step 7 - Deliver to the Birthday Girl

Step 8 - Eat and Enjoy

Happy Birthday Sunshine!  Hope you have a great 21st (ish) Birthday Blog Party!

Red Velvet Cake Pop Receipe (from Wilton.com)

Ingredients:

1 box (about 18 ounces) Red Velvet cake mix
1 box (3.4 ounces) chocolate pudding mix
4 eggs
1 cup water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup canned cream cheese icing
1 bag (14 ounces) White Candy Melts® (I used 1/2 package of while Almond Bark)
Makes:

48 tablespoon

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray one 13 x 9 x 2 in. sheet pan or two 8 in. or 9 in. round pans with vegetable pan spray.

In large bowl, combine cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, water and oil; beat at medium speed with electric mixer 2 minutes. Pour into prepared pan.

Bake 30-35 minutes for round pans; 35-40 minutes for sheet pan, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes; remove from pan to cooling grid and cool completely. Divide cake in half; freeze one half for future use.

In large bowl, use hands to crumble cake until no large chunks remain. Add icing; mix with fingers until well combined. Form mixture into cake balls. Chill in refrigerator at least 2 hours. Melt Candy Melts according to package directions. Dip sticks into melted Candy Melts and insert into cake balls; let set. Wait until candy is completely firm before dipping the pops completely in melted Candy Melts; let set.

Makes 48 – 1 tablespoon sized cake ball pops (each about 1-1/4 in. diameter)
Makes 24 – 2 tablespoon sized cake ball pops (each about 1-1/2 in. diameter)
Makes 16 – 3 tablespoon sized cake ball pops (each about 1-3/4 in. diameter)


Christine

Shhhhh!!! Don't tell Bobbi - But I have a suprise for her birthday on Wednesday!!

Tomorrow May 17th is Bobbi's Birthday.  I'll be a good friend and business partner and NOT tell you how old Bobbi is going to be on Wednesday... 

In honor of Bobbi's birthday I'm thowing her a suprise Blog Birthday Party.  You are all invited. 

A Fabulous Party is planned

and you're invited to show,

but don't tell the Birthday Girl,

cause she doesn't know!

Join us for a

Surprise Birthday Party

May 18, 2011

9:00 am cst - ????

for

Bobbi Hickman

I know that she LOVES red velvet cake - so I am bringing this adorable Cake Pop Bouquet to the party tomorrow!

Come back Wednesday to wish Bobbi a Happy Birthday and get the turtorial for this adorable cake pop bouquet.  I'll even give you the recipes I used!

Remember.. SHHHH - It's a suprise blog birthday party for Bobbi - so don't tell her!

Christine

Book Review - Blogging for Bliss by Tara Frey

There are a lot of books out there designed to help us - but do the books really help us or are they just a waste of our hard earned money?  

We are going to take the time to review some of the books that we have bought recently in an effort to build and promote our business, Crabby Cakes Studios.

Our first book review will be on:

Blogging for Bliss - Crafting Your Own Online Journal - A Guide for Crafters, Artists, & Creatives of All Kinds

Written by Tara Frey

The first impression of Blogging for Bliss - Crafting Your Own Online Journal - A Guide for Crafters, Artists, & Creatives of All Kinds is that it is stunning to look at! That being said – this book is much more than just another book with pretty pictures. It is full of a lot of helpful information that is extremely easy to understand.

Tara Frey explores in great detail the differences between the different blogs such as Blogspot, Twitter, Typepad etc. For the person who is just starting their blog, this is like hitting a jackpot of information so you are able to make an informed decision on which blog hosting company will be right for you. (Crabby Cakes Studio currently uses Blogspot)

The author also mixes interviews with current bloggers in-between all of her valuable information. This gave us a place to go to see really excellent examples of some beautiful blogs out there that are current and active.

The most helpful chapter for us was the section on photography. This is an area that Christine and I are constantly are trying to improve on and this book did not let us down. Being sellers, we understand there is a need to make and take great photos of your work.  Especially since buyers can not feel or touch your products online.  Tina supplied us some really great photo hints and techniques.  We especially loved her ideas on adding frames to make our photos stand out.

This book is a great resource because she provides many links to other blogs that provide a wealth of (usually free) resources.

We would definitely recommend this book as a great resource for bloggers of all levels (from beginners to experts).

Christine recently purchased it from Amazon.com for the incredible price of $8.34. We are not Amazon affiliates but love to share deals with everyone – so here is the link to Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Blogging-Bliss-Crafting-Crafters-Creatives/dp/1600595111/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1304623127&sr=8-1

Of course we would love to hear from you, what craft books have you read and would recommend to us and others?  Please share!!!!

Turning Crabby Into Happy!

Christine and Bobbi

Crabby Cakes Studio



2 Page 12x12 Mother's day Layout

Mother's Day Layout

Crabby Cakes Studio presents a new layout in Honor of  Moms!

We are so happy to be rolling this out just in time for Mother's Day!  This would be a great keepsake, capturing your Mother's Day festivities!

What Mom wouldn't want own special llayout dedicated to her!


We know Moms are hard to capture on film, so make sure to take a moment this Sunday to get some snap shots in! Make your Mom feel like the Queen of Everything she is!

Our pages are entrenched with fine details.  Just look at the detailed chalking on that cute paper peicing!
Little fabric white flowers with pink rhinestones centers are all over the 2 page layout, cause your Mom sparkles and so should her pages!



All photo frames fit your (2 ) 4X6 standard size photos fit perfectly so no cropping necessary!  You can simply slide your photo under the ribbon for security! We also included (3) 3 X 3 frames that can be used for additional pictures or journaling!  Easy as can be, perfect for even the non scrapbooker! 


Not a scrapbooker, another idea would to use this layout and place in a 12 X 12 frame so it can be displayed year round!

This layout would be perfect for you, your mom, new mommie to be, and fur-baby mommies! 


Come visit our Etsy Store for more pictures and layout details!  This layout can be purchased in our Etsy Store for only 24.99, unlike E-Bay there is no bidding, just a set price!  Just click here:  Mom Layout


Turning Crabby Into Happy!
Christine and Bobbi
Crabby Cakes Studio

I have the dreaded scrapbooker's block

I (Christine) have scrapbooker's block!

There  - I said it!

Scrabbooker's Block = Writer's block!

According to Wikipeda - Writer's block is a condition, primarily associated with writing as a profession, in which an author loses the ability to produce new work. The condition varies widely in intensity. It can be trivial, a temporary difficulty in dealing with the task at hand. At the other extreme, some "blocked" writers have been unable to work for years on end, and some have even abandoned their careers. It can manifest as the affected writer viewing their work as inferior or unsuitable, when in fact it could be the opposite.

This post is all about Christine's recent and painful bought with scrapbooker's block!

This is as far as I have gotten with with my adorable Bobunny Blast off book!  I had such high hopes for the paper.  I mean it's so cute - why oh why is this so hard?  This hasn't happened to me in a long long long time!

Am I making it too complacated?  I wanted to maximize the number of photos that the book can hold so I have been working on fold out pages (that is next week's Thursday Tutorial).  I think I threw away 6 pieces of paper in frustration.  Seriously - this shouldn't be so hard!

After wasting several pieces o f 8 1/2 x 11 pieces of yellow paper by miscutting the paper sizes - I gave up and walked away for a while.  Why is this happening to me?  Is it because of the amout of stress I am under at my job as an Accounting Manager?  Have I just run out of ideas?  No that's not possible.  It must be my job!

In this shot, I have finally figured out the page shape that I needed.  This is the right side of the book.  Now I just need to figure out what size I need to make the photo mats..  Do I want 4.5x4.5?  2.5x3.5?  I don't know.  This shouldn't be this hard for me.

I thought I would use some "leftover" paper piecings from another project.  Then I found out the scale was off.  Great - I was so not in the mood to make new paper piecings.  So much for cheating. 

Seriously, the rocket is much bigger than the page.  I think it's off by 2"!  Back to the drawing board (big sigh and then I shut off the lights and walked away AGAIN). 

I finally decided to cut some of my BoBunny paper and then decided I might have made a mistake.  I think I stared at this piece of paper for 30 minutes before finally deciding to glue it on this way.  Then I was back to my photo mat confusion.  I hate this scrapbookers block.  I think it's lasted over a week.

Has this ever happened to you?  What did you do to get over it?  What was it caused by? 

I have finally moved on from my scrapbooker's block.  My cure - work went back to normal (whatever that means)  LOL.   I then moved on and am closer to finally completing the pages and book!  Boy - I can't remember the last time I was this crabby scrapping! 

Happy Scrappin'

Christine and Bobbi

Crabby Cakes Studio

Where crabby turns into happy